McGimpsey disappointed that new school for Inner South Belfast missing from Minister’s announcement

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast Michael McGimpsey has spoken of his disappointment that the new Primary School for Inner-South Belfast was not included in the Minister for Educations statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on new school builds.

The new school would amalgamate Fane Street, Donegall Road and Blythefield Primary Schools and has been in the planning process for a number of years.

In a statement Mr McGimpsey said, “I am disappointed that yet again the children of Sandy Row, the Village and Lisburn Road have been let down by the Department for Education. This is an area of significant educational underachievement where the children are being taught in school buildings long past their best.”

“The staff in the three schools are working to provide the best education they can for the local children but are being hampered by their working conditions and are not receiving the support of the department.”

In conclusion Mr McGimpsey said, “I am calling on the Minister to put his money where his mouth is and invest in the children of Inner-South Belfast. He talks of all schools being good schools but without this investment he is sadly letting down the children of Inner-South Belfast and he cannot allow this to continue.”